Japhet Tanganga’s first goal of the season secured Millwall a fourth consecutive victory, lifting them into the play-off positions after a hard-fought win over Leeds.
Tanganga volleyed in Jake Cooper’s header just before half-time at The Den, and both defenders played key roles in preserving the narrow lead.
Despite sustained pressure from Leeds—including a disallowed goal by Joel Piroe for offside—the visitors couldn’t find an equalizer.
Millwall held firm, handing Leeds their first defeat in nine games and preventing them from reclaiming a top-two spot.
Lions boss Neil Harris made three changes from the team that defeated Burnley on Sunday, bringing in Danny McNamara, Ryan Wintle, and Duncan Watmore, while Jayden Bogle returned to the Leeds lineup after suspension.
Leeds dominated possession from the outset, with Wilfried Gnonto showing flashes of danger on the left wing, though they could only create a few brief chances.
Brenden Aaronson and Piroe both had shots comfortably saved by goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, while Tanganga blocked a Gnonto effort that went behind for a corner.
Millwall capitalized on set-pieces, using a free-kick to break the deadlock as George Saville found Cooper, who headed across the box for Tanganga to volley past Illan Meslier.
Leeds began the second half on the front foot, with Gnonto’s header flying just over and Dan James testing Jensen with a shot from distance.
The visitors thought they’d equalized on the hour when Piroe finished Bogle’s cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Leeds made several attacking substitutions, pushing forward but rarely troubling Jensen as Bogle and James sent shots over, and Cooper blocked another Piroe attempt.
Late in the game, Mateo Joseph nearly handed Millwall a second when his clearance struck his own post after Cooper nodded another free-kick into the box.
In the final moments, Meslier joined the attack for a corner, but Millwall held on to secure their fourth straight 1-0 victory.
Millwall manager Neil Harris told BBC London 94.9:
“Let’s be honest – Leeds were better than us the way they moved the ball, with the one-on-one ability and rotation they’ve got. For me they’re going to win the league this year if they keep playing like that.
“We knew exactly what the game was going to be like, we knew the intensity was going to be high but the lads stood strong.
“For us it’s about discipline, being organised and structured as we can be and then finding a way to score at the other end. I’m very proud of the players this evening.
“The two centre-halves were magnificent. Japhet got the goal, Coops got the assist but it’s their defensive display that’s so important to us – the amount of blocks they made and the way they defended crosses.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I’m not annoyed at all with our performance – I thought we were excellent. This is a difficult place to go and I think we’ve created more situations in and around their box than the last four away teams here in total.
“You have to stay disciplined in each small situation. We were more or less playing in their half, but there will always be one or two set-piece situations.
“Football can sometimes be the most unfair sport in the world. If it’s tennis, basketball or handball and you’re dominating, the better side wins – but in football one goal is often decisive.
“It’s also about efficiency to use your chances or to make sure there are not little mistakes and in these terms they were better than us today. We have to accept it and congratulations to Neil and his team.”